Wolverhampton Wanderers W.F.C.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Women
Full name Wolverhampton Wanderers Girls & Women's Football Club
Nickname(s) Wolves, She-Wolves, "Wolfettes"
Founded 1975 (as Heathfield Rovers)
Ground Queen Street Stadium, Bilston
Chairperson Jenny Wilkes
Manager Daniel McNamara
League FA Women's National League Division One Midlands
2017–18 FA Women's Premier League Northern Division, 11th of 12 (relegated)
Website Club website

Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's Football Club is an English women's football club affiliated with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.. The club play in the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands.

History

The club began playing in 1975 as Heathfield Rovers. After becoming Wolverhampton & Wednesbury Tube LFC the following season, they later settled on Wolverhampton Ladies. Just before 1993–94 the club got permission from Wolverhampton Wanderers to call themselves Wolverhampton Wanderers Women's Football Club and they were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League National Division that season. However, after two seasons they were relegated back to the Northern Division. Rachel Unitt came through the club's youth system and scored 12 goals in 1999-00 before signing for Everton the following season.

In May 2001 Dennis Mortimer was appointed manager. He challenged for promotion in his three seasons in charge but left in 2004, citing work commitments. In 2004–05 Wolves Women were runners-up to Sunderland but star players Emily Westwood and Amy McCann left for Everton during the summer and the club finished sixth in 2005–06.

Wolves Women were relegated to the Midland Combination after finishing 11th in 2006–07. In May 2008 the club was boosted by full affiliation with Wolverhampton Wanderers and a partnership with Wolverhampton College.

On Thursday 19 April 2012 Wolves Women won the Midland Combination Title gaining promotion back to the Northern Division for the 2012–13 Season. They followed that up with a 2-0 win over rivals Stoke in the League Cup Final to complete the League and cup double.

The 2014-15 season for Wolves Women was one to forget. They saw themselves relegated and bottom of the Northern Division. Wolves only managed 8 points from 22 games, and this saw a change in coaching staff at the end of the season.

At the start of the 2015-16 season, Steve Cullis was named manager and has been given the aim of promotion back into the Northern Division, as well as developing the youth section of the club.[1] Wolves also withdrew their reserve team from the FA Women's Premier League Reserves (Midlands), the reserves had been playing in the WPL for the past 13 seasons.

In October 2016, Cullis moved to a new role of Technical Director for the clubs's Regional Talent Centre. Tim Dudding was named as his replacement as manager of the Senior squad.[2]. Dudding led a successful campaign, resulting in the club's promotion to the Northern Division[3].

After a poor start to the season Dan McNamara took over as First Team Manager in early 2018 and led the team in a relegation battle, just missing out on goal difference after a hard-fought campaign[4]. After the restructure of the women’s football pyramid this summer, the team now find themselves in the new FA Women’s National League Midlands Division One. For the 2018/19 season the club have introduced a Development Team.

Stadium

Wolves Women play at Queen Street Stadium in Bilston, the home of Bilston Town F.C..

Players

First team squad

As of 23 August 2018 [5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 England GK Katie Clarke
2 England MF Courtney Jones
3 England DF Natalie Widdal
4 England DF Emma Cross
5 England DF Anna Price (captain)
6 England DF Mai Butler
7 England MF Andrea Barnett
8 England MF Tammi George
9 England FW Jade Cross
10 Wales MF Chloe Williams
11 England MF Jen Anslow
No. Position Player
12 England DF Ruby Meeson
13 England GK Beth Cleverly
14 England FW Charlotte Criddle
16 England MF Billie Haynes
17 England FW Jess Jennings
18 England DF Anna Morphet
20 Wales MF Lowri Walker
21 England MF Billie-Jo Edge
23 England MF Charlotte Wilkie

Regional Talent Club

Wolves Girls Regional Talent Club is a Tier 3 Facility responsible for the delivery of elite girls’ football development that commenced operations in June 2016.[6] The Regional Talent Club’s Technical Director is Steve Cullis.

Other teams

Wolverhampton Wanderers Development Team compete in the Birmingham County Womens League Division 1.[7] Home games are played at Darlaston Town (1874) FC's Paycare Ground.

Club officials

Notable former players

Former Wolves players to have played at senior international level.

Honours

2016/17 FA Women's Premier League Midlands Division One Winner [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Cullis aiming to build new Wolves legacy", "Express and Star", Wolverhampton, 17 November 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2016
  2. ↑ New Management Structure In Place, "Wolverhampton Wanderers", Wolverhampton, 17 October 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016
  3. ↑ "Champions!", "Wolverhampton Wanderers", Wolverhampton, 15 May 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2018
  4. ↑ "Emphatic Wolves Women Win", "Wolverhampton Wanderers", Wolverhampton, 21 May 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018
  5. ↑ "Wolverhampton Wands Womens", "FA Women's National League", England. Retrieved 23 August 2018
  6. ↑ "FA licenses awarded for new Regional Talent Clubs", "The Football Association", London, 29 April 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016
  7. ↑ "DIVISION 1", "Birmingham County Womens League", FA Full Time. Retrieved 25 August 2018
  8. ↑ "Wolves Women Secure Promotion", "Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.", Wolverhampton, 15 May 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017
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